Fear wins again in Prospect Heights
Ernest Hemingway once called Oak Park the "city of broad lawns and narrow minds."
Clearly, Mr. Hemingway never visited the city of Prospect Heights.
The recent home rule referendum was again defeated and by a not-so-narrow margin.
What's sad about this is the fact that the majority are being swayed by the minority, a small cadre of fear-mongering naysayers who seem to oppose any attempt to improve our city's infrastructure, basic services and reputation.
They see the tax-and-spend boogeyman lurking around every corner, and they go to unusual lengths to stop progress in the name of "keeping our fair city just the way it is."
Their tactic of choice is fear and a classic example of that was the last-minute barrage of postcards and phone calls spreading misinformation that raised unfounded fears of a runaway city council doling out tax increases on a whim.
The unfortunate truth is that the city of Prospect Heights is in decline.
Roads are literally crumbling, basic city services have been scaled back and ultimately our property values will suffer as a consequence.
Meanwhile the conspiracy theorists can celebrate another victory and look for new enemies in the shadows.
Dave Crost
Prospect Heights